Echo News

Basildon rents go up 20% in just one year

RENTAL prices have rocketed 20 per cent in the past year across Basildon – pricing locals out of the market.

Tenants are paying an average £133 more a month, or £1,596 extra a year, for private accommodation, according to Balgores estate agents.

The 19.3 per cent spike goes against the national trend, which has seen rental inflation slowing, because the Government has launched schemes to give people with low deposits a chance to get on the housing ladder.

The negative impact of the booming housing market, which has seen Basildon house prices rocket, has been blamed.

Dave Murray, who organises Basildon Against Bedroom Tax, said it was a “chronic crisis”.

He said: “This has been a crisis for the past ten or 15 years and it’s getting worse.

“Every year we are told it’s great that property prices are going up.

That’s fantastic if you own one or two, but not if you haven’t one at all.”

Mr Murray said more lower income families had to rent privately because there was a shortage of council houses.

He added: “The number of council houses being built is pathetic.

“Not so long ago in Basildon there was a supply of public housing, so there wasn’t a shortage.

“People want to put a roof over their heads and will pay as much as they can afford.

“I sympathise with people paying a mortgage for a buy-to-let landlord.

“It’s about supply and demand.

Housing is not being built for ordinary people.”

Last week the Echo revealed Basildon had been named the number one commuter town for the whole of the south east.

With the number of London workers looking for property in the town pushing up prices, they too have been blamed for the increase.

Howard Lester, director of Balgores Property Group, said another issue was more people buying property to let as a form of pension.

He added: “Weak income growth, which has an impact on households’ ability to borrow and a lack of housing supply, means the private rental sector is continuing to see strong demand from new tenants.

“Many people will rent property until they can afford to buy a house.”

‘I pay £750 monthly for the cheapest home I could find’

A MUM of five said she will never afford her own house as she is stuck paying hundreds of pounds in rent.

Kaily Barnard, 38, of Bockingham Green, pays £750 a month for a three-bedroom house on the Felmores estate.

It leaves her with virtually nothing to cover bills.

She said: “I pay £750 a month for a wooden house from the Seventies and that is the cheapest I could find.

“I have no life and no extra money. Not only am I choosing between heating and eating, I’m choosing between milk and bread.

“I chose to live here, but I have to take cash from my income support and child tax credits to pay for the roof over my children's heads.”

Kaily, who moved from Yorkshire to Basildon two years ago for family reasons, said she pays so much she can’t save for a deposit for a house, even though mortgage repayments would be lower than the rent she pays.

She added: “I would love to buy a house, but there’s no scope for saving.

“Times have changed as well. Twenty years ago you could buy a mid-terrace, two-bedroom house in the north for £20,000, but you couldn’t buy a garage in a back garden for that down here.

“I feel like I am treading water at the moment.

“You get to a stage where you just bury your head in the sand and get in a mess with money. I am just trying to keep my head above water.”

You'dfeelbetterforkn
owingthat wrote:
£750 for a three bed house is chicken feed, in London that figure would be 3 grand.

5 kids must sweeten the pill though, all that child support

[quote][p][bold]You'dfeelbetterforkn
owingthat[/bold] wrote:
£750 for a three bed house is chicken feed, in London that figure would be 3 grand.[/p][/quote]5 kids must sweeten the pill though, all that child supportpembury53

With the advent of the buy-to-let market, and a cultural shift in Britain towards viewing houses as investments rather than homes, there is little incentive at all for any Government to build more houses. To do so would risk the wrath of the grey voters, whose "investments" would lose value. Shockingly, we now have a situation where nobody born after 1980 will ever be able to own their home. This wouldn't be so bad if this Generation Rent had the same final salary pensions as their Baby Boomer landlords, but they don't. In 40 years time the UK will be hit hard by the social welfare bill of a huge number of people who are too old to work, but somehow still need to pay exorbitant rents. We need to nip this in the bud. Please sign and share this ePetition to make the Government act on unscrupulous landlords, the whole buy-to-let market, housing shortages, and everybody's future:

http://epetitions.di
rect.gov.uk/petition
s/54779

With the advent of the buy-to-let market, and a cultural shift in Britain towards viewing houses as investments rather than homes, there is little incentive at all for any Government to build more houses. To do so would risk the wrath of the grey voters, whose "investments" would lose value. Shockingly, we now have a situation where nobody born after 1980 will ever be able to own their home. This wouldn't be so bad if this Generation Rent had the same final salary pensions as their Baby Boomer landlords, but they don't. In 40 years time the UK will be hit hard by the social welfare bill of a huge number of people who are too old to work, but somehow still need to pay exorbitant rents. We need to nip this in the bud. Please sign and share this ePetition to make the Government act on unscrupulous landlords, the whole buy-to-let market, housing shortages, and everybody's future:
http://epetitions.di
rect.gov.uk/petition
s/54779FridayBob

FridayBob wrote:
With the advent of the buy-to-let market, and a cultural shift in Britain towards viewing houses as investments rather than homes, there is little incentive at all for any Government to build more houses. To do so would risk the wrath of the grey voters, whose &quot;investments" would lose value. Shockingly, we now have a situation where nobody born after 1980 will ever be able to own their home. This wouldn't be so bad if this Generation Rent had the same final salary pensions as their Baby Boomer landlords, but they don't. In 40 years time the UK will be hit hard by the social welfare bill of a huge number of people who are too old to work, but somehow still need to pay exorbitant rents. We need to nip this in the bud. Please sign and share this ePetition to make the Government act on unscrupulous landlords, the whole buy-to-let market, housing shortages, and everybody's future:

http://epetitions.di

rect.gov.uk/petition

s/54779

forget this communist tripe and just raise stamp duty to discourage speculation and buy to let

[quote][p][bold]FridayBob[/bold] wrote:
With the advent of the buy-to-let market, and a cultural shift in Britain towards viewing houses as investments rather than homes, there is little incentive at all for any Government to build more houses. To do so would risk the wrath of the grey voters, whose "investments" would lose value. Shockingly, we now have a situation where nobody born after 1980 will ever be able to own their home. This wouldn't be so bad if this Generation Rent had the same final salary pensions as their Baby Boomer landlords, but they don't. In 40 years time the UK will be hit hard by the social welfare bill of a huge number of people who are too old to work, but somehow still need to pay exorbitant rents. We need to nip this in the bud. Please sign and share this ePetition to make the Government act on unscrupulous landlords, the whole buy-to-let market, housing shortages, and everybody's future:
http://epetitions.di
rect.gov.uk/petition
s/54779[/p][/quote]forget this communist tripe and just raise stamp duty to discourage speculation and buy to letprofondo asbo

owingthat wrote:
£750 for a three bed house is chicken feed, in London that figure would be 3 grand.

5 kids must sweeten the pill though, all that child support

Not to mention her five husbands

[quote][p][bold]pembury53[/bold] wrote:
[quote][p][bold]You'dfeelbetterforkn
owingthat[/bold] wrote:
£750 for a three bed house is chicken feed, in London that figure would be 3 grand.[/p][/quote]5 kids must sweeten the pill though, all that child support[/p][/quote]Not to mention her five husbandsNowthatsworthknowing

FridayBob wrote:
With the advent of the buy-to-let market, and a cultural shift in Britain towards viewing houses as investments rather than homes, there is little incentive at all for any Government to build more houses. To do so would risk the wrath of the grey voters, whose &quot;investments" would lose value. Shockingly, we now have a situation where nobody born after 1980 will ever be able to own their home. This wouldn't be so bad if this Generation Rent had the same final salary pensions as their Baby Boomer landlords, but they don't. In 40 years time the UK will be hit hard by the social welfare bill of a huge number of people who are too old to work, but somehow still need to pay exorbitant rents. We need to nip this in the bud. Please sign and share this ePetition to make the Government act on unscrupulous landlords, the whole buy-to-let market, housing shortages, and everybody's future: http://epetitions.di rect.gov.uk/petition s/54779

your right of course and it's blindingly obvious....... social and economic meltdown is a serious possibility when all those 100's of thousands of tenants default upon retirement..... lets hope all those with 'property portfolios' lose everything....... in the meantime the government will do nothing however

[quote][p][bold]FridayBob[/bold] wrote:
With the advent of the buy-to-let market, and a cultural shift in Britain towards viewing houses as investments rather than homes, there is little incentive at all for any Government to build more houses. To do so would risk the wrath of the grey voters, whose "investments" would lose value. Shockingly, we now have a situation where nobody born after 1980 will ever be able to own their home. This wouldn't be so bad if this Generation Rent had the same final salary pensions as their Baby Boomer landlords, but they don't. In 40 years time the UK will be hit hard by the social welfare bill of a huge number of people who are too old to work, but somehow still need to pay exorbitant rents. We need to nip this in the bud. Please sign and share this ePetition to make the Government act on unscrupulous landlords, the whole buy-to-let market, housing shortages, and everybody's future: http://epetitions.di rect.gov.uk/petition s/54779[/p][/quote]your right of course and it's blindingly obvious....... social and economic meltdown is a serious possibility when all those 100's of thousands of tenants default upon retirement..... lets hope all those with 'property portfolios' lose everything....... in the meantime the government will do nothing howeverpembury53

It really is time for individual councils to have the power to cap private rents.

This will help to:

1. deter the "get rich quick", buy to let landlords and will also undermine the mortgage company "minimum rent" conditions when lending.

2. put less pressure on the housing market (due to point 1 above) thus keeping house prices more stable.

3. put less pressure on social housing as more people would be able to afford/happy to rent private housing.

4. substantially decrease the council's housing benefit bill.

It really is time for individual councils to have the power to cap private rents.
This will help to:
1. deter the "get rich quick", buy to let landlords and will also undermine the mortgage company "minimum rent" conditions when lending.
2. put less pressure on the housing market (due to point 1 above) thus keeping house prices more stable.
3. put less pressure on social housing as more people would be able to afford/happy to rent private housing.
4. substantially decrease the council's housing benefit bill.emcee

Housing benefit up 1%
Rents up more than that soial housing avge 5-7%
Essex proportion of council tax up.
Minimum wage unsufficient and wages either not rising or 1%
If pensioner 2.7% increase in pension
Bankers still get big bonuss
= poverty all round and never getting on the ladder
Are we really all in this together?

Housing benefit up 1%
Rents up more than that soial housing avge 5-7%
Essex proportion of council tax up.
Minimum wage unsufficient and wages either not rising or 1%
If pensioner 2.7% increase in pension
Bankers still get big bonuss
= poverty all round and never getting on the ladder
Are we really all in this together?jolllyboy

This highlights the need for Council controlled social housing. When they build the tens of thousands oc homes they want to build all over our parklands and green spaces/greenbelt they need to use half of them for social affordable rent housing.

This highlights the need for Council controlled social housing. When they build the tens of thousands oc homes they want to build all over our parklands and green spaces/greenbelt they need to use half of them for social affordable rent housing.Howard Cháse

she would love to buy a house.....but pays her rent currently from her income support. hmm. not likely to get a mortgage without a job love! and if you think basildon rents are bad look at rayleigh!! bloody extortionate

she would love to buy a house.....but pays her rent currently from her income support. hmm. not likely to get a mortgage without a job love! and if you think basildon rents are bad look at rayleigh!! bloody extortionateniki-loo

niki-loo wrote:
she would love to buy a house.....but pays her rent currently from her income support. hmm. not likely to get a mortgage without a job love! and if you think basildon rents are bad look at rayleigh!! bloody extortionate

If its too much for your shallow purse, move out to Shoebury.

[quote][p][bold]niki-loo[/bold] wrote:
she would love to buy a house.....but pays her rent currently from her income support. hmm. not likely to get a mortgage without a job love! and if you think basildon rents are bad look at rayleigh!! bloody extortionate[/p][/quote]If its too much for your shallow purse, move out to Shoebury.Nowthatsworthknowing

angryofessex wrote:
Five kids, no income and she wants to buy a house, says it all really.

No it doesn't.

Where does it mention her not having any income?

In a weak attempt to judge you've missed the entire point of the story, which affects everyone and regardless of how much money they have.

[quote][p][bold]angryofessex[/bold] wrote:
Five kids, no income and she wants to buy a house, says it all really.[/p][/quote]No it doesn't.
Where does it mention her not having any income?
In a weak attempt to judge you've missed the entire point of the story, which affects everyone and regardless of how much money they have.yagetme

angryofessex wrote:
Five kids, no income and she wants to buy a house, says it all really.

No it doesn't.

Where does it mention her not having any income?

In a weak attempt to judge you've missed the entire point of the story, which affects everyone and regardless of how much money they have.

quite clearly says she has income support. so i suggest you look again

[quote][p][bold]yagetme[/bold] wrote:
[quote][p][bold]angryofessex[/bold] wrote:
Five kids, no income and she wants to buy a house, says it all really.[/p][/quote]No it doesn't.
Where does it mention her not having any income?
In a weak attempt to judge you've missed the entire point of the story, which affects everyone and regardless of how much money they have.[/p][/quote]quite clearly says she has income support. so i suggest you look againniki-loo

angryofessex wrote: Five kids, no income and she wants to buy a house, says it all really.

No it doesn't. Where does it mention her not having any income? In a weak attempt to judge you've missed the entire point of the story, which affects everyone and regardless of how much money they have.

You right, the article does not go into that detail but does state she is in receipt of income support, so I can’t understand why she would be in position to purchase a house. Having said that, I do agree that rents are too high.

[quote][p][bold]yagetme[/bold] wrote:
[quote][p][bold]angryofessex[/bold] wrote: Five kids, no income and she wants to buy a house, says it all really.[/p][/quote]No it doesn't. Where does it mention her not having any income? In a weak attempt to judge you've missed the entire point of the story, which affects everyone and regardless of how much money they have.[/p][/quote]You right, the article does not go into that detail but does state she is in receipt of income support, so I can’t understand why she would be in position to purchase a house. Having said that, I do agree that rents are too high.angryofessex

LauqhLast.. wrote:
Perhaps there is an influx of people from the north of England moving into Basildon. Kim Gandy is from the north perhaps she can enlighten us on the matter.

I'm here to shut the likes of you up. And what is wrong with the north of England.

Obviously you are the racist you claim the rest of us are. Northerners aren't a race I hear you say. NEITHER ARE TRAVELLERS.

Get out of that one braindead.

[quote][p][bold]LauqhLast..[/bold] wrote:
Perhaps there is an influx of people from the north of England moving into Basildon. Kim Gandy is from the north perhaps she can enlighten us on the matter.[/p][/quote]I'm here to shut the likes of you up. And what is wrong with the north of England.
Obviously you are the racist you claim the rest of us are. Northerners aren't a race I hear you say. NEITHER ARE TRAVELLERS.
Get out of that one braindead.Kim Gandy

Good god, there is a preponderance of idiots on here. LL obviously has an obsession with me as he keeps mentioning me.

That's because I'm of superior intellect to him - but then it doesn't take a lot does it.

I am here to stay so you can try all the bullyboy tactics you like. FACT: like it or not I have INFORMED opinions and you LL, are an idiot who just spouts leftwing garbage constantly... the more you say the more stupid you sound.

Don't bother to respond, my superior intellect will not allow me to read any more of your comments on this thread. Nor even bother to return.

Nowadays I hardly dignify you with a response because all you are these days is just background noise. Boring musak.

Good god, there is a preponderance of idiots on here. LL obviously has an obsession with me as he keeps mentioning me.
That's because I'm of superior intellect to him - but then it doesn't take a lot does it.
I am here to stay so you can try all the bullyboy tactics you like. FACT: like it or not I have INFORMED opinions and you LL, are an idiot who just spouts leftwing garbage constantly... the more you say the more stupid you sound.
Don't bother to respond, my superior intellect will not allow me to read any more of your comments on this thread. Nor even bother to return.
Nowadays I hardly dignify you with a response because all you are these days is just background noise. Boring musak.Kim Gandy

BodyBuilder wrote:
If I was her I would of stayed up in Yorkshire. cheaper houses and MUCH better area then poxy Felmores. Stupid cow.

I'm from Yorkshire and although I love my home county I choose to live here. She moved here for family reasons.

Stupid pr*ck

Kim, would you say in the scheme of things that someone born In Yorkshire might have more of a right to live in Yorkshire, than someone who wasn't born in Yorkshire?

[quote][p][bold]Kim Gandy[/bold] wrote:
[quote][p][bold]BodyBuilder[/bold] wrote:
If I was her I would of stayed up in Yorkshire. cheaper houses and MUCH better area then poxy Felmores. Stupid cow.[/p][/quote]I'm from Yorkshire and although I love my home county I choose to live here. She moved here for family reasons.
Stupid pr*ck[/p][/quote]Kim, would you say in the scheme of things that someone born In Yorkshire might have more of a right to live in Yorkshire, than someone who wasn't born in Yorkshire?LauqhLast..

LauqhLast.. wrote:
Perhaps there is an influx of people from the north of England moving into Basildon. Kim Gandy is from the north perhaps she can enlighten us on the matter.

I'm here to shut the likes of you up. And what is wrong with the north of England.

Obviously you are the racist you claim the rest of us are. Northerners aren't a race I hear you say. NEITHER ARE TRAVELLERS.

Get out of that one braindead.

You dont seem to be doing much of a job shutting anyone up Kim!

How can asking if you have inner knowledge of people from the north migrating be considered racist?

Especially when you say northern people are not a race?

You make a claim and then contradict it in the same breath.

Travellers are considered an ethnic minority in law? Are northern people?

[quote][p][bold]Kim Gandy[/bold] wrote:
[quote][p][bold]LauqhLast..[/bold] wrote:
Perhaps there is an influx of people from the north of England moving into Basildon. Kim Gandy is from the north perhaps she can enlighten us on the matter.[/p][/quote]I'm here to shut the likes of you up. And what is wrong with the north of England.
Obviously you are the racist you claim the rest of us are. Northerners aren't a race I hear you say. NEITHER ARE TRAVELLERS.
Get out of that one braindead.[/p][/quote]You dont seem to be doing much of a job shutting anyone up Kim!
How can asking if you have inner knowledge of people from the north migrating be considered racist?
Especially when you say northern people are not a race?
You make a claim and then contradict it in the same breath.
Travellers are considered an ethnic minority in law? Are northern people?LauqhLast..

Kim Gandy wrote:
Good god, there is a preponderance of idiots on here. LL obviously has an obsession with me as he keeps mentioning me.

That's because I'm of superior intellect to him - but then it doesn't take a lot does it.

I am here to stay so you can try all the bullyboy tactics you like. FACT: like it or not I have INFORMED opinions and you LL, are an idiot who just spouts leftwing garbage constantly... the more you say the more stupid you sound.

Don't bother to respond, my superior intellect will not allow me to read any more of your comments on this thread. Nor even bother to return.

Nowadays I hardly dignify you with a response because all you are these days is just background noise. Boring musak.

Kim, if suggesting you might have more knowledge than the rest of us regarding why northern people might migrate to Essex is classed as an obsession..would that mean your constant mentioning of 'Lefti's" and "Dale farm" mean you obsessed with both? By your own rule?

[quote][p][bold]Kim Gandy[/bold] wrote:
Good god, there is a preponderance of idiots on here. LL obviously has an obsession with me as he keeps mentioning me.
That's because I'm of superior intellect to him - but then it doesn't take a lot does it.
I am here to stay so you can try all the bullyboy tactics you like. FACT: like it or not I have INFORMED opinions and you LL, are an idiot who just spouts leftwing garbage constantly... the more you say the more stupid you sound.
Don't bother to respond, my superior intellect will not allow me to read any more of your comments on this thread. Nor even bother to return.
Nowadays I hardly dignify you with a response because all you are these days is just background noise. Boring musak.[/p][/quote]Kim, if suggesting you might have more knowledge than the rest of us regarding why northern people might migrate to Essex is classed as an obsession..would that mean your constant mentioning of 'Lefti's" and "Dale farm" mean you obsessed with both? By your own rule?LauqhLast..

There is nothing very new about the offspring of local residents being forced to leave the area because of the lack of affordable housing. I was unable to afford to rent or buy in the area of my home town in the late 70s due, in part, to the influx of people relocating from East London. It was not until the late 80s that I was able to afford a modest property in Billericay. I resented the situation in the 70s just as I'm sure those affected resent it now but it is pretty much how life is for the average person.

There is nothing very new about the offspring of local residents being forced to leave the area because of the lack of affordable housing. I was unable to afford to rent or buy in the area of my home town in the late 70s due, in part, to the influx of people relocating from East London. It was not until the late 80s that I was able to afford a modest property in Billericay. I resented the situation in the 70s just as I'm sure those affected resent it now but it is pretty much how life is for the average person.Druggie Scumbag

If the Council got these spongers to actually pay their council tax, the rest of us would have a lower bill. Basildon collects approximately 48% of the council tax it should be collecting - these renters feel they do not have to pay and refuse to pay despite complaining about everything. Who do they think they are?

If they don't like it, why don't they go and live in Romania - there's a lot of empty property there now, and I hear things are cheaper there. And, I won't have to pay their rent through my council tax.

If the Council got these spongers to actually pay their council tax, the rest of us would have a lower bill. Basildon collects approximately 48% of the council tax it should be collecting - these renters feel they do not have to pay and refuse to pay despite complaining about everything. Who do they think they are?
If they don't like it, why don't they go and live in Romania - there's a lot of empty property there now, and I hear things are cheaper there. And, I won't have to pay their rent through my council tax.Stamper2

angryofessex wrote: Five kids, no income and she wants to buy a house, says it all really.

No it doesn't. Where does it mention her not having any income? In a weak attempt to judge you've missed the entire point of the story, which affects everyone and regardless of how much money they have.

You right, the article does not go into that detail but does state she is in receipt of income support, so I can’t understand why she would be in position to purchase a house. Having said that, I do agree that rents are too high.

If government figures are anything to go by, 97% of all State benefits (except pensions) are paid to working people, it's low wages and these high rents that are forcing most people to claim and sending our benefits bill (especially Housing) through the roof.

A small increase in wages to bring them in line with inflation, and a sensible cap on rents would make everyone's life easier.

[quote][p][bold]angryofessex[/bold] wrote:
[quote][p][bold]yagetme[/bold] wrote:
[quote][p][bold]angryofessex[/bold] wrote: Five kids, no income and she wants to buy a house, says it all really.[/p][/quote]No it doesn't. Where does it mention her not having any income? In a weak attempt to judge you've missed the entire point of the story, which affects everyone and regardless of how much money they have.[/p][/quote]You right, the article does not go into that detail but does state she is in receipt of income support, so I can’t understand why she would be in position to purchase a house. Having said that, I do agree that rents are too high.[/p][/quote]If government figures are anything to go by, 97% of all State benefits (except pensions) are paid to working people, it's low wages and these high rents that are forcing most people to claim and sending our benefits bill (especially Housing) through the roof.
A small increase in wages to bring them in line with inflation, and a sensible cap on rents would make everyone's life easier.yagetme

FridayBob wrote:
With the advent of the buy-to-let market, and a cultural shift in Britain towards viewing houses as investments rather than homes, there is little incentive at all for any Government to build more houses. To do so would risk the wrath of the grey voters, whose &quot;investments" would lose value. Shockingly, we now have a situation where nobody born after 1980 will ever be able to own their home. This wouldn't be so bad if this Generation Rent had the same final salary pensions as their Baby Boomer landlords, but they don't. In 40 years time the UK will be hit hard by the social welfare bill of a huge number of people who are too old to work, but somehow still need to pay exorbitant rents. We need to nip this in the bud. Please sign and share this ePetition to make the Government act on unscrupulous landlords, the whole buy-to-let market, housing shortages, and everybody's future:

http://epetitions.di

rect.gov.uk/petition

s/54779

forget this communist tripe and just raise stamp duty to discourage speculation and buy to let

Yeah of course, it's communist to imply that people on average salaries should be able to afford to buy property. Sounds like you have vested interests and are probably a landlord yourself!

[quote][p][bold]profondo asbo[/bold] wrote:
[quote][p][bold]FridayBob[/bold] wrote:
With the advent of the buy-to-let market, and a cultural shift in Britain towards viewing houses as investments rather than homes, there is little incentive at all for any Government to build more houses. To do so would risk the wrath of the grey voters, whose "investments" would lose value. Shockingly, we now have a situation where nobody born after 1980 will ever be able to own their home. This wouldn't be so bad if this Generation Rent had the same final salary pensions as their Baby Boomer landlords, but they don't. In 40 years time the UK will be hit hard by the social welfare bill of a huge number of people who are too old to work, but somehow still need to pay exorbitant rents. We need to nip this in the bud. Please sign and share this ePetition to make the Government act on unscrupulous landlords, the whole buy-to-let market, housing shortages, and everybody's future:
http://epetitions.di
rect.gov.uk/petition
s/54779[/p][/quote]forget this communist tripe and just raise stamp duty to discourage speculation and buy to let[/p][/quote]Yeah of course, it's communist to imply that people on average salaries should be able to afford to buy property. Sounds like you have vested interests and are probably a landlord yourself!DannyK86